What will I learn on this module?
You will focus on experiential learning to enable you to develop your linguistic and employability skills whilst immersed in the culture of the host country as an integral part of this module. The placement abroad provides you with the opportunity to develop your oral and written communicative competence in French or Spanish. Living and studying or working abroad will enable you to further develop your understanding of the business, economic, political, social and cultural environment of a French or Spanish-speaking country.
The module aims to enable you to apply your linguistic competences (speaking, listening, reading, and writing) in a working environment. You will extend your knowledge of more complex lexical and syntactical structures of the French or Spanish language appropriate to the business and social environment of a wide variety of sectors and disciplines. You will have the opportunity to apply this knowledge and skills to increasingly complex situations as well as develop as an autonomous learner.
How will I learn on this module?
You will acquire not only increased fluency in French or Spanish and greater awareness of key issues in the foreign society in which you are living, but you will also become increasingly self-confident and autonomous in your linguistic and employability skills. Completion of the placement abroad will enable you to identify key skills and qualities which are being developed during the placement thus enhancing your future employability.
The placement abroad is an accredited year-long placement. It consists of a work placement as an English Language Assistant through the British Council.
Emphasis will be placed upon the development of your employment potential, the consolidation of your professional profile, and the nurturing of your critical approach to sources relevant to the French/ Spanish-speaking world.
How will I be supported academically on this module?
Throughout your placement you will be supported by a supervisor in situ as well as placement and guidance tutors. Your tutors and supervisor will liaise to ensure that the placement abroad meets the learning outcomes set for the module and you are developing both your employability and linguistic skills. Your tutors and supervisor will fulfil their enhanced duty of care to ensure your well-being during the placement abroad. You will have the opportunity to prepare for your placement abroad through information meetings and tutorials. You will be able to access learning and information material through Blackboard and will be in regular communication with your tutors via e-mail throughout your placement.
What will I be expected to read on this module?
All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.
What will I be expected to achieve?
Knowledge & Understanding:
• You will consolidate your ability to recognise and compose in different styles and registers, including business related vocabularies and registers, extending your knowledge of applied terminology relevant to economic, business, political and socio-cultural issues in the French/Spanish world and for the Modern Languages graduate (MLO1).
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
• You will develop the foreign language skills required in a working environment, demonstrating your knowledge of more complex lexical and syntactic structures in the target language (MLO2).
• You will be able to initiate and maintain written and verbal communication in response to familiar and unfamiliar demands in professional and business environments (MLO3).
• You will be able to use the linguistic and methodological skills needed to tackle fieldwork and academic research commensurate with level 5 (MLO4).
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
• You will develop an expert understanding of global ethical issues in business and employment environments (MLO5).
How will I be assessed?
The Formative assessment will enable you to demonstrate, on a regular basis, that you are building towards achieving all MLOs.
Summative assessment consists of a portfolio of assessment including the following:
• 1,500 word report in English ( for non-language students only), French or Spanish (MLO1, 2, 4, 5)
• 500 word statement of personal achievement in English ( for non-language students only), French or Spanish which reflects on personal, professional and academic development during the placement and demonstrates your ability to identify key skills and qualities which you have acquired and/or developed during your placement abroad (All MLOs).
• Work-log/dossier of evidence of learning in English ( for non-language students only), French or Spanish which shows how you have maximised the opportunities available to you. This may include example of tasks performed during your placemen and cultural activities you have engaged with (All MLOs).
The module is assessed on a pass/fail basis and does not contribute to degree classification.
The quality of the written language (accuracy, register) of the report/statement of personal achievement is also taken into account. Failure has to be retrieved by an oral resit-examination in semester 1 of year 4.
Pre-requisite(s)
ML4002
ML4003 OR
ML4004
ML4005 OR
ML4006
ML4007
Co-requisite(s)
ML5023
ML5024 OR
ML5025
ML5026 OR
ML5027
ML5028
Module abstract
Please find details of this module in the other sections provided.
Course info
UCAS Code N185
Credits 120
Level of Study Undergraduate
Mode of Study 4 years Full Time with a Placement (Sandwich)/Study Abroad
Department Newcastle Business School
Location City Campus, Northumbria University
City Newcastle
Start September 2025
All information is accurate at the time of sharing.
Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.
Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.
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